Costume Jewelry from Canada: Part II

RAFAEL ALFANDARY

Rafael Alfandary, an Israeli born Toronto designer, gave one of his pieces to his English teacher as a thank you gift. The gift was so well received, it led to the opening of his own shop. Rafalel in known for  creating kinetic and abstract designs made of hammered brass or copper, and bezel set with natural stone or glass cabochons.

Rafael Afandary Bracelet, Photo Courtesy of Yolanda Dewijk and Yos Finds, an Etsy Shop

   
Rafael Afandary Necklace, Photos Courtesy of Yolanda Dewijk and Yos Finds, an Etsy Shop

Rafael Alfandary Hallmark

Jean Claude Darveau, a Quebec designer, combined modernism and brutalism into his jewelry. He worked with various metals including gold and silver.

Darveau Necklace, Photo Courtesy of Yolanda Dewijk and Yos Finds, an Etsy Shop

Darveau Bracelet, Photo Courtesy of Yolanda Dewijk and Yos Finds, an Etsy Shop

Darveau Hallmark, Photo Courtesy of Yolanda Dewijk and Yos Finds, an Etsy Shop

ROBERT LARIN

Robert Larin was a Montreal designer who worked with pewter and other metals. According to Roberta Berg's article, Abstractions, A Sampling of Modern Canadian Jewellers, most of his employees were deaf and so within the noisy shop, even those who could hear used sign language.

Larin Bracelet, Photo Courtesy of Renee Piche and Renee Piche Bijoux on Facebook

Larin Bracelet, Photo Courtesy of Renee Piche and Renee Piche Bijoux on Facebook

Larin Bracelet, Photo Courtesy of Renee Piche and Renee Piche Bijoux on Facebook

Larin Pin, Photo Courtesy of Yolanda Dewijk and Yos Finds, an Etsy Shop

Larin Necklace, Photo Courtesy of Yolanda Dewijk and Yos Finds, an Etsy Shop

   
Larin Hallmarks, Photos Courtesy of Renee Piche and Renee Piche Bijoux on Facebook

Larin Hallmark, Photo Courtesy of Yolanda Dewijk and Yos Finds, an Etsy Shop

Guy Vidal, a Montreal designer, worked with various metals including pewter. His work, like Darveau's and Larin's is highly collectible. BTW, his names is sometimes erroneously seen as Gilles Vidal.

Vidal Necklace, Photo Courtesy of Yolanda Dewijk and Yos Finds, an Etsy Shop

Vidal Necklace, Photo Courtesy of Renee Piche and Renee Piche Bijoux on Facebook

Vidal Necklace, Photo Courtesy of Renee Piche and Renee Piche Bijoux on Facebook

Vidal Bracelet, Photo Courtesy of Renee Piche and Renee Piche Bijoux on Facebook

Vidal Necklace, Photo Courtesy of Renee Piche and Renee Piche Bijoux on Facebook

Vidal Bracelet, Photo Courtesy of Renee Piche and Renee Piche Bijoux on Facebook

Vidal Bracelet, Photo Courtesy of Renee Piche and Renee Piche Bijoux on Facebook

Vidal Necklace, Photo Courtesy of Renee Piche and Renee Piche Bijoux on Facebook

   
Vidal Hallmark, Photo Courtesy of Renee Piche and Renee Piche Bijoux on Facebook

BREADNER MANUFACTURING COMPANY (BMCo)

Breadner Manufacturing Company, commonly referred to as BMCo, made jewelry, including charms. A surplus of materials after WW II, led the company into another direction - portable radios under the brand name Bradna.

   
Variety of BMCo Silver and Enamel Charms, Photos Courtesy of Sandy Weinstein and A Genuine Find a shop on eBay

There are many more Canadian Jewelry designers and companies. I continue to gather photos and at some point hope to add additional parts to this series.

THANK YOU

• Yolanda Dewijk of Yos Finds on Etsy
• Renee Piche of Rene Pichee Bijoux on Facebook
• Sandy Weinstein of A Genuine Find on eBay

REFERENCE

Abstractions: A Sampling of Modern Canadian Jewelers, Roberta Berg

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